Port Blair, Aug 02: Mrs. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman held a meeting with stakeholders of Central Ground Water Authority and bulk water suppliers in South Andaman District on 02.08.2023.
The Deputy Commissioner (SA) along with Sub-Divisional Magistrate, South Andaman and the officers of CGWA Cell of Central Ground Water Board, Eastern Region, Kolkata apprised the procedures to obtain permission for operation of bore well and also briefed about the do’s and don’ts of ground water extraction. It was informed that permission to abstract ground water through any energized means will not be accorded for any purpose other than drinking water. The permission would be granted by the Authorized Officer in consultation with the advisory committee constituted for this purpose.
DC, SA emphasized the unprecedented water crisis witnessed during this summer due to illegal groundwater extractions and also briefed that
The provisions of the environmental compensation can be imposed based on groundwater abstraction, type of project and category of block in accordance with CGWA Guidelines 2020 dated 24/9/2020 and subsequent amendments.
Minimum penalty would be `1, 00,000/- irrespective of quantity, type and category of block to be imposed for illegal extraction and Environmental compensation charges as existing guidelines would be applicable depending on actual withdrawal.
Further for taking punitive action and Prosecution District Magistrate/ Sub Divisional Magistrates of each Revenue District/Sub-division as Authorized Officers, have been delegated the power to:
● Seal illegal wells,
● Disconnect electricity supply to the energized well,
● Launch prosecution against offenders etc.
● Grievance redressal related to groundwater.
As per the guidelines for Ground Water abstraction, for bulk water supply, all those users abstracting groundwater and using it for supply as bulk water supplies through private tankers will now mandatorily seek No Objection Certificate for ground water abstraction.
Documents to be submitted with the application
Proof of ownership of land of size 200 sq m or more on which abstraction structure is installed.
Proof of ownership/Lease of tanker Groundwater quality report.
General Conditions to be followed by the bulk water suppliers
All tankers shall be labeled “Potable Water”.
Abstraction structures shall be fitted with tamper proof digital water flow meters with telemetry.
Flow meters shall be calibrated once in a year from an authorized agency.
Water shall be used for drinking/domestic purposes only.
Water quality being supplied by the bulk water supplier shall be adhered to BIS norms for drinking and domestic purposes.
Filling of tankers shall be done only within the premises.
The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman emphasized to all the bulk water suppliers that they should mandatorily register themselves with the CGWA. The link for registration with Central Ground Water Authority for obtaining No-Objection Certificate for ground water extraction is http://cgwa-noc.gov.in. As on date as per the list provided by CWGA, only 17 operators have obtained the No-Objection Certificates, list of which is available in the website http://cgwa.gov.in.
Further, it was also directed that Bore well machine operators shall submit a report to the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate regarding the setting up and operation of portable drilling rigs to drill wells anywhere in the District.
It was also informed that 1 (One) month time period is being given to the bulk water suppliers for registering and obtaining No-objection certificate from the CGWA failing which punitive action will be initiated against the defaulters.
The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman further reiterated that the General Public and all groundwater users may also be made aware that the purchase of water from registered bulk water suppliers should be strictly ensured.
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